Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of communications, and particularly to
a method and apparatus for transmitting an SRS.
Background
[0002] As the internet of things is emerging, a support of Machine Type Communication (MTC)
in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system has been increasingly valued. An MTC device
(or an MTC terminal) may have a part of Machine to Machine (M2M) communication characteristics,
e.g., low mobility, a small amount of data to be transmitted, insensitivity to a communication
delay, extremely low power consumption as required, etc., where in order to lower
the cost of the MTC terminal, a type of terminal supporting a radio frequency bandwidth
of only 1.4MHz in both the uplink and the downlink has been newly defined.
[0003] Since the MTC terminal can only operate in a limited bandwidth, several narrowbands
may be defined for the MTC terminal in a system band, where there are a limited number
of Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) in each narrowband. Particularly there are six
PRBs in each narrowband. There is uplink transmission and downlink transmission by
the MTC terminal in only one of the narrowbands. When the transmitting terminal is
to jump from one narrowband to another narrowband, some retuning period of time is
required for a radio frequency element, etc., of the terminal to be retuned from the
narrowband to the other.
[0004] A Sounding Reference Symbol (SRS) is transmitted in the last SC-FDMA symbol in an
SRS sub-frame preconfigured in higher-layer signaling. For a TDD system, an SRS can
be transmitted in one or two UpPTS symbols in a special sub-frame. A transmission
bandwidth of an SRS in the frequency domain is preconfigured in the higher-layer signaling
as an integer multiply of four PRBs. An SRS may or may not be transmitted in a system
SRS bandwidth in a frequency hop mode as configured in the higher-layer signaling.
When transmission of an SRS in the frequency hop mode is enabled, an SRS may be transmitted
at a different frequency position selected in a different SRS sub-frame in a fixed
frequency hop pattern.
[0005] An SRS can be transmitted in the same sub-frame as a Physical Uplink Control Channel
(PUCCH)/Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), where the last symbols of the PUCCH
and the PUSCH are spared for transmitting an SRS instead of data. In a low-complexity
MTC system, a frequency position where an SRS is transmitted, and a narrowband in
which a PUCCH/PUSCH is transmitted can be determined separately, and when an SRS can
be transmitted in a frequency hop mode, the SRS is also transmitted at a different
frequency position in a different SRS sub-frame, so the frequency position where the
SRS is transmitted may not overlap with the narrowband in which the PUCCH/PUSCH adjacent
thereto is transmitted in the frequency domain; and there are so limited transmit
and receive bandwidths of low-complexity MTC that signals cannot be transmitted and
received at different narrowband positions at the same instance of time, and a retuning
period of time is required between the different narrowbands to retune a radio frequency
element to the different frequency positions, so the SRS transmission rule in the
prior art may not be applicable to the low-complexity MTC system any longer.
Summary
[0008] In view of this, embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus for
transmitting an SRS.
[0009] An embodiment of the invention provides a method for transmitting an SRS, the method
includes: deciding whether to transmit an SRS, according to whether transmission frequency
resources of SRS overlap with a narrowband for transmitting data;
wherein the deciding whether to transmit an SRS, according to whether transmission
frequency resources of the SRS overlap with a narrowband for transmitting data, includes
one of followings:
in a special sub-frame of a Time Division Duplex, TDD, system, if transmission frequency
resources of the SRS in an Uplink Pilot Time Slot, UpPTS, do not overlap with a narrowband
for transmitting downlink data in a Downlink Pilot Time Slot, DwPTS, then deciding
not to transmit the SRS in the UpPTS of the special sub-frame;
in a special sub-frame of a TDD system, if transmission frequency resources of the
SRS in an UpPTS do not overlap with a narrowband for transmitting downlink data in
a DwPTS, and there are downlink data transmitted in the DwPTS, then deciding not to
transmit the SRS in the UpPTS of the special sub-frame;
in a special sub-frame of a TDD system, if transmission frequency resources of the
SRS in an UpPTS overlaps with a narrowband for transmitting downlink data in a DwPTS
only partially, then deciding not to transmit the SRS in the UpPTS of the special
sub-frame;
in a special sub-frame of a TDD system, if transmission frequency resources of the
SRS in an UpPTS overlap with a narrowband for transmitting downlink data in a DwPTS
only partially, and there are downlink data transmitted in the DwPTS, then deciding
not to transmit the SRS in the UpPTS of the special sub-frame;
in a special sub-frame of a TDD system, if transmission frequency resources of the
SRS in an UpPTS overlap with a narrowband for transmitting downlink data in a DwPTS
only partially, then deciding not to transmit the SRS over frequency resources, which
do not overlap with the narrowband for transmitting downlink data in the DwPTS, among
the transmission frequency resources of the SRS; or
in a special sub-frame of a TDD system, if transmission frequency resources of the
SRS in an UpPTS overlap with a narrowband for transmitting downlink data in a DwPTS
only partially, and there are downlink data transmitted in the DwPTS, then deciding
not to transmit the SRS over frequency resources, which do not overlap with the narrowband
for transmitting downlink data in the DwPTS, among the transmission frequency resources
of the SRS;
the method further includes: transmitting the SRS on the special sub-frame upon that
a result of decision is positive.
[0010] Optionally the downlink data include data transmitted in one or more of following
downlink channels: a PDSCH, an M-PDCCH, a PBCH, and a PMCH.
[0011] An embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus for transmitting an SRS, the
apparatus includes: a determining unit configured to decide whether to transmit an
SRS, according to whether transmission frequency resources of an SRS overlap with
a narrowband for transmitting data by one of followings:
in a special sub-frame of a Time Division Duplex, TDD, system, if transmission frequency
resources of the SRS in an Uplink Pilot Time Slot, UpPTS, do not overlap with a narrowband
for transmitting downlink data in a Downlink Pilot Time Slot, DwPTS, then deciding
not to transmit the SRS in the UpPTS of the special sub-frame;
in a special sub-frame of a TDD system, if transmission frequency resources of the
SRS in an UpPTS do not overlap with a narrowband for transmitting downlink data in
a DwPTS, and there are downlink data transmitted in the DwPTS, then deciding not to
transmit the SRS in the UpPTS of the special sub-frame;
in a special sub-frame of a TDD system, if transmission frequency resources of the
SRS in an UpPTS overlaps with a narrowband for transmitting downlink data in a DwPTS
only partially, then deciding not to transmit the SRS in the UpPTS of the special
sub-frame;
in a special sub-frame of a TDD system, if transmission frequency resources of the
SRS in an UpPTS overlap with a narrowband for transmitting downlink data in a DwPTS
only partially, and there are downlink data transmitted in the DwPTS, then deciding
not to transmit the SRS in the UpPTS of the special sub-frame;
in a special sub-frame of a TDD system, if transmission frequency resources of the
SRS in an UpPTS overlap with a narrowband for transmitting downlink data in a DwPTS
only partially, then deciding not to transmit the SRS over frequency resources, which
do not overlap with the narrowband for transmitting downlink data in the DwPTS, among
the transmission frequency resources of the SRS; or
in a special sub-frame of a TDD system, if transmission frequency resources of the
SRS in an UpPTS overlap with a narrowband for transmitting downlink data in a DwPTS
only partially, and there are downlink data transmitted in the DwPTS, then deciding
not to transmit the SRS over frequency resources, which do not overlap with the narrowband
for transmitting downlink data in the DwPTS, among the transmission frequency resources
of the SRS;
the apparatus further includes a transmitting unit configured to transmit an SRS or
on the special sub-frame upon that a decision of the determining unit is positive.
[0012] Optionally the downlink data include data transmitted in one or more of following
downlink channels: a PDSCH, an M-PDCCH, a PBCH and a PMCH.
[0013] In the embodiments above of the invention, the UE can decide whether to transmit
an SRS, according to whether transmission frequency resources of an SRS overlap with
a narrowband for transmitting data, or whether adjacent narrowbands for transmitting
data are the same, that is, there is provided a new SRS transmission rule to address
the absence of a definite SRS transmission rule in the prior art particularly when
the embodiments of the invention are applied to a low-complexity MTC system.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0014] In order to make the technical solutions according to the embodiments of the invention
more apparent, the drawings to which reference is made in the description of the embodiments
will be introduced below in brief, and apparently the drawings to be described below
are only some embodiments of the invention, but those ordinarily skilled in the art
can further derive from these drawing other drawings without any inventive effort.
Fig. 1 is a schematic flow chart of transmitting an SRS according to an embodiment
of the invention.
Fig.2 is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment of
the invention.
Fig.3 is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal according to another embodiment
of the invention.
Detailed Description of the Embodiments
[0015] As described above, in a low-complexity MTC system, a frequency position where an
SRS is transmitted, and a narrowband in which a PUCCH/PUSCH is transmitted can be
determined separately, and when an SRS can be transmitted in a frequency hop mode,
the SRS is also transmitted at a different frequency position in a different SRS sub-frame,
so the frequency position where the SRS is transmitted may not overlap with the narrowband
in which the PUCCH/PUSCH adjacent thereto is transmitted in the frequency domain;
and there are so limited transmit and receive bandwidths of low-complexity MTC that
signals cannot be transmitted and received at different narrowband positions at the
same instance of time, and a retuning period of time is required between the different
narrowbands to retune a radio frequency element to the different frequency positions,
so the SRS transmission rule in the prior art may not be applicable to the low-complexity
MTC system any longer, and it is desirable to define a new transmission rule for SRS
transmission by a low-complexity MTC terminal.
[0016] In order to attain this object, an embodiment of the invention provides an SRS transmission
solution. The SRS transmission solution according to the embodiment of the invention
can be applicable to various communication systems, e.g., an LTE system, and an LTE-A
system, and particularly to a scenario in which a narrowband terminal transmissions
an SRS.
[0017] Here the narrowband terminal is defined as compared with a terminal with a radio
frequency bandwidth of 20MHz, and the radio frequency bandwidth of the narrowband
terminal is less than 20MNz. For example, the narrowband terminal can be an MTC terminal
supporting a radio frequency bandwidth of only 1.4MHz.
[0018] The SRS transmission solution according to the embodiment of the invention will be
described below in details by way of an example of a scenario in which a narrowband
terminal transmissions an SRS. Unless stated otherwise, a terminal in the following
embodiment will refer to an MTC terminal supporting a radio frequency bandwidth of
only 1.4MHz.
[0019] Referring to Fig. 1 which is a schematic flow chart of transmitting an SRS according
to an embodiment of the invention, the flow can be performed by a terminal.
[0020] As illustrated, the flow can include the following steps.
[0021] The step 101 is to decide whether to transmit an SRS, according to whether transmission
frequency resources of an SRS overlap with a narrowband for transmitting data, or
whether adjacent narrowbands for transmitting data are the same.
[0022] Here the following several possible decisions can be made about whether to transmit
an SRS.
- A decision is made not to transmit an SRS (i.e., to drop an SRS).
- A decision is made to transmit an SRS.
- A decision is made to transmit an SRS over a part of the transmission frequency resources
of an SRS, and not to transmit an SRS over the remaining transmission frequency resources
(i.e., to drop an SRS over a part thereof).
[0023] Here a decision can be made in the step 101 about whether to transmit an SRS, in
one or a combination of the following several schemes.
[0024] In a scheme 1, a decision is made about whether to transmit an SRS in an SRS sub-frame,
according to whether SRS transmission frequency resources in the SRS sub-frame overlap
with a narrowband for transmitting uplink data in the SRS sub-frame.
[0025] In a scheme 2, a decision is made about whether to transmit an SRS in an SRS sub-frame,
according to whether SRS transmission frequency resources in the SRS sub-frame overlap
with a narrowband for transmitting uplink data in an adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent
to the SRS sub-frame.
[0026] In a scheme 3, a decision is made about whether to transmit an SRS in an SRS sub-frame,
according to whether adjacent narrowbands for transmitting uplink data are the same.
[0027] In a scheme 4, a decision is made about whether to transmit an SRS in a special sub-frame
of a Time Division Duplex (TDD) system, according to whether SRS transmission frequency
resources in the special sub-frame overlap with a narrowband for transmitting downlink
data in the special sub-frame.
[0028] In a scheme 5, a decision is made about whether to transmit an SRS in a special sub-frame
of a TDD system, according to whether a narrowband for transmitting downlink data
in the special sub-frame is the same as a narrowband for transmitting uplink data
in an adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent to the special sub-frame.
[0029] In these several schemes above, the SRS sub-frame can be a sub-frame specific to
the narrowband terminal and the SRS sub-frame can include an UpPTS or a normal uplink
sub-frame.
[0030] In these several schemes above, the uplink data above can be transmitted in an uplink
channel, and correspondingly the uplink channel can include one or more of the following
channels: a PUCCH, a PUSCH, and a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH), where the
PRACH is primarily applicable in a contention-free scenario.
[0031] In these several schemes above, the downlink data can be transmitted in a downlink
channel, and correspondingly the downlink channel can include one or more of the following
channels: a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), an MTC Physical Downlink Control
Channel (M-PDCCH), a Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH), and a Physical Multicast Channel
(PMCH), where the M-PDCCH can be a downlink control channel defined for the narrowband
terminal.
[0032] In the flow above, "overlap(s)" refers to overlapping in the frequency domain, and
for example, given a frequency range A and a frequency range B, if there are the same
values in a part of the frequency range A as those in a part of the frequency range
B, then it will be determined that the frequency range A overlaps with the frequency
range B, or they partially overlap with each other; and if none of values in the frequency
range is the same as any one of values in the frequency range B, then it will be determined
that the frequency range A does not overlap with the frequency range B. Optionally
the frequency ranges above can be sets of PRBs.
[0033] Furthermore after a decision is made about whether to transmit an SRS, the method
can further include the following step (denoted in the dotted box as illustrated).
[0034] The step 102 is, if it is decided in the step 10 1 to transmit an SRS, to transmit
an SRS over the transmission frequency resources of an SRS; otherwise, to drop an
SRS to be transmitted. Alternatively an SRS can be transmitted over a part of the
transmission frequency resources of an SRS, and drop the SRS over the remaining transmission
frequency resources, according to the decision in the step 101.
[0035] Optional implementations of the scheme 1 to the scheme 5 above will be described
below in details respectively.
Scheme 1.
[0036] In the scheme 1, the terminal can decide whether to transmit an SRS (e.g., to drop
an SRS) in an SRS sub-frame, according to whether SRS transmission frequency resources
in the SRS sub-frame overlap with a narrowband for transmitting uplink data in the
SRS sub-frame, where the "narrowband for transmitting uplink data" can be expressed
as a "narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel", and the uplink channel can include
a PUCCH, a PUSCH, etc.
[0037] Optionally the scheme 1 can be further categorized into the following several implementations.
[0038] In a scheme 1-1, in an SRS sub-frame, if transmission frequency resources of an SRS
do not overlap with a narrowband for transmitting uplink data, then it will be decided
not to transmit an SRS in the SRS sub-frame.
[0039] For example, an SRS is transmitted in corresponding PRB8 to PRB11 in an uplink sub-frame
2, and a narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel (e.g., a PUCCH or a PUSCH,
which will apply hereinafter) in the uplink sub-frame 2 is a narrowband 0 (PRB2 to
PRB7). In this instance, since the PRBs in which an SRS is transmitted in the uplink
sub-frame 2 do not overlap with the narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel
in the uplink sub-frame 2, no SRS is transmitted (that is, an SRS is dropped) in the
uplink sub-frame 2, that is, no SRS is transmitted in the uplink sub-frame 2 no matter
whether there is an uplink channel transmitted therein. Optionally in the SRS sub-frame,
if the transmission frequency resources of an SRS overlap with the narrowband for
transmitting uplink data, then there still may be an occasion to transmit an SRS in
the uplink sub-frame 2; and for example, an SRS may be transmitted in corresponding
PRB2 to PRB5 in the uplink sub-frame 2, and at this time, all the PRBs in which an
SRS is transmitted lie in the narrowband 0 for transmitting uplink data, and neither
the SRS resources nor the narrowband for transmitting uplink data in the SRS sub-frame
will be retuned to each other, so an SRS can be transmitted in the uplink sub-frame
2, or a decision about whether to transmit an SRS can be further made in combination
with another scheme (e.g., the scheme 2). In another example, there still may be an
occasion to transmit an SRS over a part of the frequency resources, in the instances
in the following schemes 1-4 and 1-6.
[0040] In a scheme 1-2, in an SRS sub-frame, if transmission frequency resources of an SRS
do not overlap with a narrowband for transmitting uplink data, and there is uplink
data transmitted in the SRS sub-frame, then it will be decided not to transmit an
SRS in the SRS sub-frame.
[0041] For example, an SRS is transmitted in corresponding PRB8 to PRB11 in an uplink sub-frame
2, and a narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel in the uplink sub-frame 2 is
a narrowband 0 (PRB2 to PRB7). In this instance, if there is an uplink channel transmitted
in the uplink sub-frame 2 indeed, then no SRS will be transmitted. Optionally in this
instance, if there is no uplink channel transmitted in the uplink sub-frame 2, or
the transmission frequency resources of an SRS overlap with the narrowband for transmitting
uplink data (reference can be made to the corresponding description in the scheme
1-1 above for an example thereof), then there still may be an occasion for transmitting
an SRS, and for example, it may be simply defined that an SRS can be transmitted at
that time, or a decision about whether to transmit an SRS can be further made in combination
with another scheme (e.g., the scheme 2).
[0042] In a scheme 1-3, in an SRS sub-frame, if transmission frequency resources of an SRS
partially overlap with a narrowband for transmitting uplink data, then it will be
decided not to transmit an SRS in the SRS sub-frame.
[0043] For example, an SRS is transmitted in corresponding PRB6 to PRB9 in an uplink sub-frame
2, and a narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel in the uplink sub-frame 2 is
a narrowband 0 (PRB2 to PRB7). In this instance, since the PRBs in which an SRS is
transmitted in the uplink sub-frame 2 partially overlap with the narrowband for transmitting
an uplink channel in the uplink sub-frame 2, then no SRS will be transmitted in the
uplink sub-frame 2.
[0044] In a scheme 1-4, in an SRS sub-frame, if transmission frequency resources of an SRS
partially overlap with a narrowband for transmitting uplink data, then it will be
decided not to transmit an SRS over frequency resources, which do not overlap with
the narrowband for transmitting uplink data, among the transmission frequency resources
of an SRS.
[0045] For example, an SRS is transmitted in corresponding PRB6 to PRB9 in an uplink sub-frame
2, and a narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel in the uplink sub-frame 2 is
a narrowband 0 (PRB2 to PRB7). In this instance, since the PRBs in which an SRS is
transmitted in the uplink sub-frame 2 partially overlap with the narrowband for transmitting
an uplink channel in the uplink sub-frame 2, then no SRS will be transmitted in the
PRB8 and the PRB9 in the uplink sub-frame 2. Optionally there still may be an occasion
to transmit an SRS in the PRB6 and the RPB7 in the uplink sub-frame 2, and for example,
it may be simply defined that an SRS can be transmitted in the PRBs overlapping with
the narrowband at that time, or a decision about whether to transmit an SRS in the
PRBs overlapping with the narrowband can be further made in combination with another
scheme (e.g., the scheme 2). That is, a decision about whether to transmit an SRS
is made as in the scheme above no matter whether there is an uplink channel transmitted
in the uplink sub-frame 2.
[0046] In a scheme 1-5, in an SRS sub-frame, if transmission frequency resources of an SRS
partially overlap with a narrowband for transmitting uplink data, and there is uplink
data transmitted in the SRS sub-frame, then it will be decided not to transmit an
SRS in the SRS sub-frame.
[0047] For example, an SRS is transmitted in corresponding PRB6 to PRB9 in an uplink sub-frame
2, and a narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel in the uplink sub-frame 2 is
a narrowband 0 (PRB2 to PRB7). In this instance, if there is an uplink channel transmitted
in the uplink sub-frame 2 indeed, then no SRS will be transmitted in the uplink sub-frame
2. Optionally in this instance, if there is no uplink channel transmitted in the uplink
sub-frame 2, then there still may be an occasion to transmit an SRS in the uplink
sub-frame 2, and for example, it may be simply defined that an SRS can be transmitted
at that time, or a decision about whether to transmit an SRS can be further made in
combination with another scheme (e.g., the scheme 2).
[0048] In a scheme 1-6, in an SRS sub-frame, if transmission frequency resources of an SRS
partially overlap with a narrowband for transmitting uplink data, and there are uplink
data transmitted in the SRS sub-frame, then it will be decided not to transmit an
SRS over frequency resources, which do not overlap with the narrowband for transmitting
uplink data, among the transmission frequency resources of an SRS.
[0049] For example, an SRS is transmitted in corresponding PRB6 to PRB9 in an uplink sub-frame
2, and a narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel in the uplink sub-frame 2 is
a narrowband 0 (PRB2 to PRB7). In this instance, if there is an uplink channel transmitted
in the uplink sub-frame 2 indeed, then no SRS will be transmitted in the PRB8 and
the PRB9 in the uplink sub-frame 2. Optionally there still may be an occasion to transmit
an SRS in the PRB6 and the RPB7 in the uplink sub-frame 2, and for example, it may
be simply defined that an SRS can be transmitted in the PRBs overlapping with the
narrowband at that time, or a decision about whether to transmit an SRS in the PRBs
overlapping with the narrowband can be further made in combination with another scheme
(e.g., the scheme 2). Optionally in the instance above, if there is no uplink channel
transmitted in the uplink sub-frame 2, then there still may be an occasion to transmit
an SRS in the uplink sub-frame 2, and for example, it may be simply defined that an
SRS can be transmitted at that time, or a decision about whether to transmit an SRS
can be further made in combination with another scheme (e.g., the scheme 2).
Scheme 2.
[0050] In the scheme 2, the terminal can decide whether to transmit an SRS (e.g., to drop
an SRS) in an SRS sub-frame, according to whether SRS transmission frequency resources
in the SRS sub-frame overlap with a narrowband for transmitting uplink data in an
adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame, where the "narrowband for
transmitting uplink data" can be expressed as a "narrowband for transmitting an uplink
channel", and the uplink channel can include a PUCCH, a PUSCH, etc.
[0051] Optionally the scheme 2 can be further categorized into the following several implementations.
[0052] In a scheme 2-1, in an SRS sub-frame, if transmission frequency resources of an SRS
do not overlap with a narrowband for transmitting uplink data in an adjacent uplink
sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame, then it will be decided not to transmit
an SRS in the SRS sub-frame.
[0053] For example, an SRS is transmitted in corresponding PRB8 to PRB11 in an uplink sub-frame
2, and a narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel (e.g., a PUCCH or a PUSCH,
which will apply hereinafter) in an uplink sub-frame 3 is a narrowband 0 (PRB2 to
PRB7). In this instance, since the PRBs in which an SRS is transmitted in the uplink
sub-frame 2 do not overlap with the narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel
in the uplink sub-frame 3, no SRS is transmitted in the uplink sub-frame 2, that is,
no SRS is transmitted no matter whether there is an uplink channel transmitted in
the uplink sub-frame 3. Optionally in the SRS sub-frame, if the transmission frequency
resources of an SRS overlap with the narrowband for transmitting uplink data in the
adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame, then there still may be
an occasion to transmit an SRS in the uplink sub-frame 2; and for example, an SRS
may be transmitted in corresponding PRB2 to PRB5 in the uplink sub-frame 2, and at
this time, all the PRBs in which an SRS is transmitted lie in the narrowband 0 for
transmitting uplink data, and the SRS resources and the narrowband for transmitting
uplink data in the SRS sub-frame will not be retuned to each other, so an SRS can
be transmitted in the uplink sub-frame 2, or a decision about whether to transmit
an SRS can be further made in combination with another scheme (e.g., the scheme 2).
In another example, there still may be an occasion to transmit an SRS over a part
of the frequency resources, in the instances in the following schemes 2-4 and 2-6.
[0054] In a scheme 2-2, in an SRS sub-frame, if transmission frequency resources of an SRS
do not overlap with a narrowband for transmitting uplink data in an adjacent uplink
sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame, and there are uplink data transmitted in
the adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame, then it will be decided
not to transmit an SRS in the SRS sub-frame.
[0055] For example, an SRS is transmitted in corresponding PRB8 to PRB11 in an uplink sub-frame
2, and a narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel in the uplink sub-frame 3 is
a narrowband 0 (PRB2 to PRB7). In this instance, if there is an uplink channel transmitted
in the uplink sub-frame 3 indeed, then no SRS will be transmitted in the sub-frame
2. Optionally in this instance, if there is no uplink channel transmitted in the uplink
sub-frame 3, or the transmission frequency resources of an SRS overlap with the narrowband
for transmitting uplink data (reference can be made to the corresponding description
in the scheme 2-1 above for an example thereof), then there still may be an occasion
to transmit an SRS in the sub-frame 2, and for example, it may be simply defined that
an SRS can be transmitted at that time, or a decision about whether to transmit an
SRS can be further made in combination with another scheme (e.g., the scheme 1).
[0056] In a scheme 2-3, in an SRS sub-frame, if transmission frequency resources of an SRS
partially overlap with a narrowband for transmitting uplink data in an adjacent uplink
sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame, then it will be decided not to transmit
an SRS in the SRS sub-frame.
[0057] For example, an SRS is transmitted in corresponding PRB6 to PRB9 in an uplink sub-frame
2, and a narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel in the uplink sub-frame 3 is
a narrowband 0 (PRB2 to PRB7). In this instance, since the PRBs in which an SRS is
transmitted in the uplink sub-frame 2 partially overlap with the narrowband for transmitting
an uplink channel in the uplink sub-frame 3, then no SRS will be transmitted in the
uplink sub-frame 2.
[0058] In a scheme 2-4, in an SRS sub-frame, if transmission frequency resources of an SRS
partially overlap with a narrowband for transmitting uplink data in an adjacent uplink
sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame, then it will be decided not to transmit
an SRS over frequency resources, which do not overlap with the narrowband for transmitting
uplink data, among the transmission frequency resources of an SRS.
[0059] For example, an SRS is transmitted in corresponding PRB6 to PRB9 in an uplink sub-frame
2, and a narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel in the uplink sub-frame 3 is
a narrowband 0 (PRB2 to PRB7). In this instance, no SRS is transmitted in the PRB8
and the PRB9 in the uplink sub-frame 2. Optionally there still may be an occasion
to transmit an SRS in the PRB6 and the RPB7 in the uplink sub-frame 2, and for example,
it may be simply defined that an SRS can be transmitted in the PRBs overlapping with
the narrowband at that time, or a decision about whether to transmit an SRS in the
PRBs overlapping with the narrowband can be further made in combination with another
scheme (e.g., the scheme 1). That is, a decision is made about whether to transmit
an SRS, as in the scheme above no matter whether there is an uplink channel transmitted
in the uplink sub-frame 3.
[0060] In a scheme 2-5, in an SRS sub-frame, if transmission frequency resources of an SRS
partially overlap with a narrowband for transmitting uplink data in an adjacent uplink
sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame, and there are uplink data transmitted in
the adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame, then it will be decided
not to transmit an SRS in the SRS sub-frame.
[0061] For example, an SRS is transmitted in corresponding PRB6 to PRB9 in an uplink sub-frame
2, and a narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel in the uplink sub-frame 3 is
a narrowband 0 (PRB2 to PRB7). In this instance, if there is an uplink channel transmitted
in the uplink sub-frame 3 indeed, then no SRS will be transmitted in the uplink sub-frame
2. Optionally in this instance, if there is no uplink channel transmitted in the uplink
sub-frame 3, then there still may be an occasion to transmit an SRS in the uplink
sub-frame 2, and for example, it may be simply defined that an SRS can be transmitted
at that time, or a decision about whether to transmit an SRS can be further made in
combination with another scheme (e.g., the scheme 1).
[0062] In a scheme 2-6, in an SRS sub-frame, if transmission frequency resources of an SRS
partially overlap with a narrowband for transmitting uplink data in an adjacent uplink
sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame, and there are uplink data transmitted in
the adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame, then it will be decided
not to transmit an SRS over frequency resources, which do not overlap with the narrowband
for transmitting uplink data, among the transmission frequency resources of an SRS.
[0063] For example, an SRS is transmitted in corresponding PRB6 to PRB9 in an uplink sub-frame
2, and a narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel in the uplink sub-frame 3 is
a narrowband 0 (PRB2 to PRB7). In this instance, if there is an uplink channel transmitted
in the uplink sub-frame 3 indeed, then no SRS will be transmitted in the PRB8 and
the PRB9 in the uplink sub-frame 2. Optionally there still may be an occasion to transmit
an SRS in the PRB6 and the RPB7 in the uplink sub-frame 2, and for example, it may
be simply defined that an SRS can be transmitted in the PRBs overlapping with the
narrowband at that time, or a decision about whether to transmit an SRS in the PRBs
overlapping with the narrowband can be further made in combination with another scheme
(e.g., the scheme 1). Optionally in the instance above, if there is no uplink channel
transmitted in the uplink sub-frame 3, then there still may be an occasion to transmit
an SRS in the uplink sub-frame 2, and for example, it may be simply defined that an
SRS can be transmitted at that time, or a decision about whether to transmit an SRS
can be further made in combination with another scheme (e.g., the scheme 1).
[0064] In some embodiment, optionally if an uplink channel transmitted in the adjacent uplink
sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame is a PRACH, then a decision may be further
made about whether to transmit an SRS, in one of the following schemes.
- In the SRS sub-frame, if the transmission frequency resources of an SRS do not overlap
with the narrowband for transmitting a PRACH in the adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent
to the SRS sub-frame, and a Timing Advance (TA) value corresponding to the SRS sub-frame
is less than a retuning period of time, then it will be decided not to transmit an
SRS in the SRS sub-frame, where the retuning period of time refers to a period of
time for the narrowband terminal to be switched between different frequency positions
or narrowbands to transmit and receive data, and typically a period of time for a
radio frequency element to be retuned from one frequency to another frequency, e.g.,
with the length of at most two Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols
as currently identified, where the length includes the length of a Cyclic Prefix (CP).
- In the SRS sub-frame, if the transmission frequency resources of an SRS partially
overlap with the narrowband for transmitting a PRACH in the adjacent uplink sub-frame
subsequent to the SRS sub-frame, and a TA value corresponding to the SRS sub-frame
is less than a retuning period of time, then it will be decided not to transmit an
SRS in the SRS sub-frame.
- In the SRS sub-frame, if the transmission frequency resources of an SRS partially
overlap with the narrowband for transmitting a PRACH in the adjacent uplink sub-frame
subsequent to the SRS sub-frame, and a TA value corresponding to the SRS sub-frame
is less than a retuning period of time, then it will be decided not to transmit an
SRS over frequency resources, which do not overlap with the narrowband for transmitting
uplink data, among the transmission frequency resources of an SRS.
Scheme 3.
[0065] In the scheme 3, the terminal can decide whether to transmit an SRS (e.g., to drop
an SRS) in an SRS sub-frame, according to whether adjacent narrow bands for transmitting
data are the same. Optionally the "narrowband for transmitting data" can be a narrowband
for transmitting uplink data, where the "narrowband for transmitting uplink data"
can be expressed as a "narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel", and the uplink
channel can include a PUCCH, a PUSCH, a PRACH, etc.
[0066] Optionally the scheme 3 can be further categorized into the following several implementations.
[0067] In a scheme 3-1, if a narrowband for transmitting uplink data in the SRS sub-frame
is different from a narrowband for transmitting uplink data in an adjacent uplink
sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame, then it will be decided not to transmit
an SRS in the SRS sub-frame.
[0068] For example, an SRS is transmitted in corresponding PRB8 to PRB11 in an uplink sub-frame
2, a narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel in the uplink sub-frame 2 is a
narrowband 1 (PRB8 to PRB 13), and a narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel
in an uplink sub-frame 3 is a narrowband 0 (PRB2 to PRB7); and it is firstly determined
whether the narrowbands of the adjacent uplink sub-frames are the same, before a decision
is made about whether the SRS transmission resources overlap with the narrowband.
Since the narrowbands for transmitting an uplink channel in the uplink sub-frame 2
and the uplink sub-frame 3 are different, no SRS is transmitted in the uplink sub-frame
2, these transmission resources of an SRS in the uplink sub-frame 2 can be used for
a corresponding retuning period of time between the different narrowbands of the adjacent
uplink sub-frames. Optionally if the narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel
in the uplink sub-frame 2 is the same as the narrowband for transmitting an uplink
channel in the uplink sub-frame 3, then there still may be an occasion to transmit
an SRS in the uplink sub-frame 2, and optionally a decision about whether to transmit
an SRS can be further made according to a relationship between the transmission frequency
resources of an SRS and the narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel in the uplink
sub-frame 2, and optionally can be further made in combination with the scheme 1.
For example, if both of the narrowbands for transmitting uplink data in the uplink
sub-frames 2 and 3 are the narrowband 1, and the PRBs for transmitting an SRS lie
in the narrowband 1, then an SRS can be transmitted; and if both of the narrowbands
for transmitting uplink data in the uplink sub-frames 2 and 3 are the narrowband 0,
and an SRS is transmitted in the corresponding PRB6 to PRB9 in the uplink sub-frame
2, then an SRS cannot be transmitted, or cannot be transmitted in at least the PRB8
to PRB9. A decision about whether to transmit an SRS can be further made taking into
account whether there is an uplink channel transmitted in the sub-frame 2, as in the
scheme 1.
[0069] In a scheme 3-2, if a narrowband for transmitting uplink data in the SRS sub-frame
is different from a narrowband for transmitting uplink data in an adjacent uplink
sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame, and there are uplink data transmitted in
both the narrowband for transmitting uplink data in the SRS sub-frame and the narrowband
for transmitting uplink data in the adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent to the SRS
sub-frame, then it will be decided not to transmit an SRS in the SRS sub-frame.
[0070] For example, an SRS is transmitted in corresponding PRB8 to PRB11 in an uplink sub-frame
2, a narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel in the uplink sub-frame 2 is a
narrowband 1 (PRB8 to PRB 13), and a narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel
in an uplink sub-frame 3 is a narrowband 0 (PRB2 to PRB7). In this instance, if there
are uplink data transmitted in both the narrowband 1 in the uplink sub-frame 2, and
the narrowband 0 in the uplink sub-frame 3, then no SRS will be transmitted in the
uplink sub-frame 2. Optionally if there are no uplink data transmitted in the narrowband
1 in the uplink sub-frame 2, or the narrowband 0 in the uplink sub-frame 3, then there
still may be an occasion to transmit an SRS in the uplink sub-frame 2, and for example,
if there are no data transmitted in the uplink sub-frame 3, and the PRBs for an SRS
lie in the narrowband 1 for transmitting an uplink channel in the uplink sub-frame
2, that is, no retuning is required between an uplink channel and an SRS in the uplink
sub-frame 2, then although the narrowband in the uplink sub-frame 3 is different from
that in the uplink sub-frame 2, OFDM symbols including an SRS will not be used for
retuning when there is no channel transmitted in the uplink sub-frame 3, so an SRS
can be transmitted in the uplink sub-frame 2, and at this time, an SRS can be transmitted
in the uplink sub-frame 2 no matter whether there are data transmitted in the uplink
sub-frame 2. In another example, if the narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel
in the uplink sub-frame 2 is the narrowband 0, the narrowband for transmitting an
uplink channel in the uplink sub-frame 3 is the narrowband 1, and the PRBs for an
SRS lie in the narrowband 1 for transmitting an uplink channel in the uplink sub-frame
3, then since there is no channel transmitted in the uplink sub-frame 2, idle OFDM
symbols preceding to an SRS in the uplink sub-frame 2 may be used for retuning, and
no retuning will be required between an SRS and an uplink channel in the uplink sub-frame
3, so an SRS can be transmitted in the uplink sub-frame 2. Optionally when the narrowbands
in the uplink sub-frame 2 and the uplink sub-frame 3 are the same, there still may
be an occasion to transmit an SRS in the uplink sub-frame 2, and optionally a decision
about whether to transmit an SRS will be further made according to a relationship
between the transmission frequency resources of an SRS and the narrowband for transmitting
an uplink channel in the uplink sub-frame 2, and particularly can be further made
in combination with the scheme 1, e.g., in the example as described in the scheme
3-1, or can be further made taking into account whether there is an uplink channel
transmitted in the sub-frame 2, as in the scheme 1.
[0071] In a scheme 3-3, if a narrowband for transmitting uplink data in the SRS sub-frame
is different from a narrowband for transmitting uplink data in an adjacent uplink
sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame, and there are uplink data transmitted in
a narrowband, which does not overlap with transmission frequency resources of an SRS,
among the narrowband for transmitting uplink data in the SRS sub-frame, and the narrowband
for transmitting uplink data in the adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent to the SRS
sub-frame, then it will be decided not to transmit an SRS in the SRS sub-frame.
[0072] For example, an SRS is transmitted in corresponding PRB8 to PRB11 in an uplink sub-frame
2, a narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel in the uplink sub-frame 2 is a
narrowband 1 (PRB8 to PRB 13), and a narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel
in an uplink sub-frame 3 is a narrowband 0 (PRB2 to PRB7), where the narrowband 0
in the uplink sub-frame 3 does not overlap with the transmission frequency resources
of an SRS. In this instance, if there is an uplink channel transmitted in the narrowband
0 in the uplink sub-frame 3, then no SRS will be transmitted in the uplink sub-frame
2. Optionally in the assumption above, if there are no uplink data transmitted in
the narrowband 0 in the uplink sub-frame 3, then there still may be an occasion to
transmit an SRS in the uplink sub-frame 2, and for example, in the assumption above,
the PRBs for an SRS lie in the narrowband 1 in the uplink sub-frame 2, so no retuning
is required between an SRS and an uplink channel in the uplink sub-frame 2, and when
there is no uplink channel transmitted in the uplink sub-frame 3, OFDM symbols including
an SRS will not be used for retuning between the different narrowbands, so an SRS
can be transmitted in the uplink sub-frame 2 at that time. Optionally when the narrowbands
in the uplink sub-frame 2 and the uplink sub-frame 3 are the same, there still may
be an occasion to transmit an SRS in the uplink sub-frame 2, and optionally a decision
about whether to transmit an SRS will be further made according to a relationship
between the transmission frequency resources of an SRS and the narrowband for transmitting
an uplink channel in the uplink sub-frame 2, and optionally can be further made in
combination with the scheme 1, e.g., in the example as described in the scheme 3-1,
or can be further made taking into account whether there is an uplink channel transmitted
in the sub-frame 2, as in the scheme 1.
[0073] In a scheme 3-4, if a narrowband for transmitting uplink data in the SRS sub-frame
is different from a narrowband for transmitting uplink data in an adjacent uplink
sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame, and there are uplink data transmitted in
a narrowband, which partially overlaps with transmission frequency resources of an
SRS, among the narrowband for transmitting uplink data in the SRS sub-frame, and the
narrowband for transmitting uplink data in the adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent
to the SRS sub-frame, then it will be decided not to transmit an SRS in the SRS sub-frame.
[0074] For example, an SRS is transmitted in corresponding PRB6 to PRB9 in an uplink sub-frame
2, a narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel in the uplink sub-frame 2 is a
narrowband 1 (PRB8 to PRB 13), and a narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel
in an uplink sub-frame 3 is a narrowband 0 (PRB2 to PRB7), where the narrowband 1
in the uplink sub-frame 2 and the narrowband 0 in the uplink sub-frame 3 partially
overlap respectively with the transmission frequency resources of an SRS. In this
instance, if there is an uplink channel transmitted in both the narrowband 1 in the
uplink sub-frame 2, and the narrowband 0 in the uplink sub-frame 3, then no SRS will
be transmitted in the uplink sub-frame 2. Optionally if there are no uplink data transmitted
in the narrowband 1 in the uplink sub-frame 2, and/or the narrowband 0 in the uplink
sub-frame 3, then there still may be an occasion to transmit an SRS in the uplink
sub-frame 2, and for example, when there are no uplink data transmitted in the narrowband
1 in the uplink sub-frame 2, no retuning is required between an SRS in the PRB6 and
the PRB7 and the narrowband 0 in the uplink sub-frame 3, and OFDM symbols preceding
to an SRS in the uplink sub-frame 2 can be used for retuning from the narrowband 0
to the narrowband 1, so an SRS can be transmitted in the PRB6 and the PRB7, and at
this time, an SRS can be transmitted in the PRB6 and the PRB7 no matter whether there
are uplink data transmitted in the narrowband 0 in the uplink sub-frame 3. In another
example, when there are no uplink data transmitted in the narrowband 0 in the uplink
sub-frame 3, no retuning is required between an SRS in the PRB8 and the PRB9, and
the narrowband 1 in the uplink sub-frame 2, and when there is no uplink channel transmitted
in the uplink sub-frame 3, the SRS positions in the sub-frame 2 will be not used for
retuning between the narrowband 1 and the narrowband 0, so an SRS can be transmitted
in the PRB8 and the PRB9, and at this time, an SRS can be transmitted in the PRB8
and the PRB9 no matter whether there are uplink data transmitted in the narrowband
1 in the uplink sub-frame 2. In still another example, when there are no uplink data
transmitted in the narrowband 1 in the uplink sub-frame 2, and the narrowband 0 in
the uplink sub-frame 3, one of the two instances above may apply, that is, an SRS
can be transmitted in the PRB6 and the PRB7, or an SRS can be transmitted in the PRB8
and the PRB9, but since the narrowband terminal can only transmit and receive in a
defined narrowband, it will not transmit any SRS concurrently in the narrowbands 0
and 1, so it will not transmit any SRS concurrently in the PRB6 and the PRB7, and
the PRB8 and the PRB9. Optionally when the narrowbands in the uplink sub-frame 2 and
the uplink sub-frame 3 are the same, there still may be an occasion to transmit an
SRS in the uplink sub-frame 2, and optionally a decision about whether to transmit
an SRS will be further made according to a relationship between the transmission frequency
resources of an SRS, and the narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel in the
uplink sub-frame 2, and optionally can be further made in combination with the scheme
1, e.g., in the example as described in the scheme 3-1, or can be further made taking
into account whether there is an uplink channel transmitted in the sub-frame 2, as
in the scheme 1.
[0075] In a scheme 3-5, if a narrowband for transmitting uplink data in the SRS sub-frame
is different from a narrowband for transmitting uplink data in an adjacent uplink
sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame, and there are uplink data transmitted in
a narrowband, which partially overlaps with transmission frequency resources of an
SRS, among the narrowband for transmitting uplink data in the SRS sub-frame, and the
narrowband for transmitting uplink data in the adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent
to the SRS sub-frame, then it will be decided not to transmit an SRS over frequency
resources, which do not overlap with the narrowband in which there are uplink data
transmitted, among the transmission frequency resources of an SRS.
[0076] For example, an SRS is transmitted in corresponding PRB 12 to PRB 15 in an uplink
sub-frame 2, a narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel in the uplink sub-frame
2 is a narrowband 1 (PRB8 to PRB 13), and a narrowband for transmitting an uplink
channel in an uplink sub-frame 3 is a narrowband 0 (PRB2 to PRB7), where the narrowband
1 in the uplink sub-frame 2 partially overlaps with the transmission frequency resources
of an SRS, and the narrowband 0 in the uplink sub-frame 3 does not overlap with the
transmission frequency resources of an SRS. In this instance, if there is an uplink
channel transmitted in the narrowband 1 in the uplink sub-frame 2, then no SRS will
be transmitted in the PRB14 and the PRB15 in the uplink sub-frame. Furthermore there
still may be an occasion to transmit an SRS in the PRB12 and the PRB 13 in the uplink
sub-frame 2, and optionally a decision about whether to transmit an SRS will be further
made according to a relationship between the transmission frequency resources of an
SRS, and the narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel in the uplink sub-frame
3, and optionally can be further made in combination with the scheme 2, where, for
example, a decision can be made not to transmit an SRS, simply because the transmission
frequency resources of an SRS do not overlap with the narrowband in the uplink sub-frame
2; or a decision about whether to transmit an SRS can be further made according to
whether there are uplink data in the uplink sub-frame 3, where if there are uplink
data in the uplink sub-frame 3, then it will be decided not to transmit an SRS, and
if there are no uplink data in the uplink sub-frame 3, then the SRS positions in the
sub-frame 2 will be not used for retuning between the narrowbands, so an SRS can be
transmitted in the PRB 12 and the PRB 13 overlapping with the narrowband 1. Optionally,
if there are no uplink data transmitted in the narrowband 1 in the uplink sub-frame
2, then there still may be an occasion to transmit an SRS in the PRB12 and the PRB13,
or the PRB14 and the PRB15, in the uplink sub-frame 2, and optionally a decision about
whether to transmit an SRS will be further made according to a relationship between
the transmission frequency resources of an SRS and the narrowband for transmitting
an uplink channel in the uplink sub-frame 3, and optionally can be further made in
combination with the scheme 2, where, for example, a decision can be made not to transmit
an SRS, simply because the transmission frequency resources of an SRS do not overlap
with the narrowband in the uplink sub-frame 3; or a decision about whether to transmit
an SRS can be further made according to whether there are uplink data in the uplink
sub-frame 3, where if there are uplink data in the uplink sub-frame 3, then it will
be decided not to transmit an SRS, and if there are no uplink data in the uplink sub-frame
3, then the SRS positions in the sub-frame 2 will be not used for retuning between
the narrowbands, so an SRS can be transmitted in the PRB 12 and the PRB 13 overlapping
with the narrowband 1, or can be transmitted in the PRB14 and the PRB15, which do
not overlap with the narrowbands 0 and 1 (at this time, the PRB14 and the PRB15 lie
in the narrowband 3). Optionally when the narrowbands in the uplink sub-frame 2 and
the uplink sub-frame 3 are the same, there still may be an occasion to transmit an
SRS in the uplink sub-frame 2, and optionally a decision about whether to transmit
an SRS will be further made according to a relationship between the transmission frequency
resources of an SRS and the narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel in the uplink
sub-frame 2, and optionally can be further made in combination with the scheme 1,
e.g., in the example as described in the scheme 3-1, or can be further made taking
into account whether there is an uplink channel transmitted in the sub-frame 2, as
in the scheme 1.
Scheme 4.
[0077] In the scheme 4, the terminal can make a decision about whether to transmit an SRS
(e.g., to drop an SRS) in a special sub-frame of a Time Division Duplex (TDD) system,
according to whether SRS transmission frequency resources in the special sub-frame
overlap with a narrowband for transmitting downlink data in the special sub-frame,
where the "narrowband for transmitting downlink data" can be expressed as a "narrowband
for transmitting a downlink channel", and the downlink channel can include a PDSCH,
an M-PDCCH, a PBCH, a PMCH, etc.
[0078] Optionally the scheme 4 can be further categorized into the following several implementations.
[0079] In a scheme 4-1, in a special sub-frame of a TDD system, if transmission frequency
resources of an SRS in an Uplink Pilot Time Slot (UpPTS) do not overlap with a narrowband
for transmitting downlink data in a Downlink Pilot Time Slot (DwPTS), then it will
be decided not to transmit an SRS in the UpPTS of the special sub-frame.
[0080] For example, an SRS is transmitted in corresponding PRB8 to PRB11 in an UpPTS of
a TDD special sub-frame 1, and a narrowband for transmitting a downlink channel in
a DwPTS of the special sub-frame 1 is a narrowband 0 (PRB2 to PRB7); and since the
PRBs in which an SRS is transmitted in the special sub-frame 1 do not overlap with
the narrowband for transmitting a downlink channel in the special sub-frame 1, no
SRS is transmitted in the UpPTS of the special sub-frame 1, that is, a decision about
whether to transmit an SRS is made as in the scheme above no matter whether there
is really a downlink channel transmitted in the DwPTS of the special sub-frame 1.
Optionally if the transmission frequency resources of an SRS in the UpPTS overlap
with the narrowband for transmitting downlink data in the DwPTS, then there still
may be an occasion to transmit an SRS in the UpPTS of the special sub-frame, and for
example, when the SRS resources lie in the narrowband for transmitting downlink data
in the DwPTS, then an SRS may be transmitted; and when the SRS resources partially
overlap with the narrowband for transmitting downlink data in the DwPTS, an SRS is
only not transmitted in a part of the PRBs, but there still may be an occasion to
transmit an SRS in the remaining PRBs, as described in the scheme 4-5 or 4-6, or a
decision about whether to transmit an SRS is further made in combination with another
scheme (e.g., the scheme 2), where an example thereof can be as described in the scheme
above, although a repeated description thereof will be omitted here.
[0081] In a scheme 4-2, in a special sub-frame of a TDD system, if transmission frequency
resources of an SRS in an UpPTS do not overlap with a narrowband for transmitting
downlink data in a DwPTS, and there are downlink data transmitted in the DwPTS, then
it will be decided not to transmit an SRS in the UpPTS of the special sub-frame.
[0082] For example, an SRS is transmitted in corresponding PRB8 to PRB11 in an UpPTS of
a TDD special sub-frame 1, and a narrowband for transmitting a downlink channel in
a DwPTS of the special sub-frame 1 is a narrowband 0 (PRB2 to PRB7). In this instance,
if there is a downlink channel transmitted in the DwPTS, then no SRS will be transmitted
in the UpPTS of the special sub-frame 1. Optionally, if there is no downlink channel
transmitted in the DwPTS, then there still may be an occasion to transmit an SRS in
the UpPTS of the special sub-frame, and optionally it may be simply defined that an
SRS can be transmitted at that time, or a decision about whether to transmit an SRS
can be further made in combination with another scheme (e.g., the scheme 2).
[0083] In a scheme 4-3, in a special sub-frame of a TDD system, if transmission frequency
resources of an SRS in an UpPTS partially overlap with a narrowband for transmitting
downlink data in a DwPTS, then it will be decided not to transmit an SRS in the UpPTS
of the special sub-frame.
[0084] For example, an SRS is transmitted in corresponding PRB6 to PRB9 in an UpPTS of a
TDD special sub-frame 1, and a narrowband for transmitting a downlink channel in a
DwPTS of the special sub-frame 1 is a narrowband 0 (PRB2 to PRB7) ; and since the
PRBs in which an SRS is transmitted in the special sub-frame 1 partially overlap with
the narrowband for transmitting a downlink channel in the special sub-frame 1, no
SRS is transmitted in the UpPTS of the special sub-frame 1, that is, a decision about
whether to transmit an SRS is made as in the scheme above no matter whether there
is really a downlink channel transmitted in the DwPTS of the special sub-frame 1.
[0085] In a scheme 4-4, in a special sub-frame of a TDD system, if transmission frequency
resources of an SRS in an UpPTS partially overlap with a narrowband for transmitting
downlink data in a DwPTS, and there is downlink data transmitted in the DwPTS, then
it will be decided not to transmit an SRS in the UpPTS of the special sub-frame.
[0086] For example, an SRS is transmitted in corresponding PRB6 to PRB9 in an UpPTS of a
TDD special sub-frame 1, and a narrowband for transmitting a downlink channel in a
DwPTS of the special sub-frame 1 is a narrowband 0 (PRB2 to PRB7). In this instance,
if there is a downlink channel transmitted in the DwPTS, then no SRS will be transmitted
in the UpPTS of the special sub-frame 1. Optionally in the instance above, if there
is no downlink channel transmitted in the DwPTS, then there still may be an occasion
to transmit an SRS in a part of the PRBs of the TDD special sub-frame 1, and optionally
it may be simply defined that an SRS can be transmitted in the PRB6 and the PRB7,
or the PRB8 and the PRB9 at that time, or a decision about whether to transmit an
SRS can be further made in combination with another scheme (e.g., the scheme 2).
[0087] In a scheme 4-5, in a special sub-frame of a TDD system, if transmission frequency
resources of an SRS in an UpPTS partially overlap with a narrowband for transmitting
downlink data in a DwPTS, then it will be decided not to transmit an SRS over frequency
resources, which do not overlap with the narrowband for transmitting downlink data
in the DwPTS, among the transmission frequency resources of an SRS.
[0088] For example, an SRS is transmitted in corresponding PRB6 to PRB9 in an UpPTS of a
TDD special sub-frame 1, and a narrowband for transmitting a downlink channel in a
DwPTS of the special sub-frame 1 is a narrowband 0 (PRB2 to PRB7); and since the PRBs
in which an SRS is transmitted in the special sub-frame 1 partially overlap with the
narrowband for transmitting a downlink channel in the special sub-frame 1, no SRS
is transmitted in the PRB8 and the PRB9 in the UpPTS of the special sub-frame 1. Optionally
there still may be an occasion to transmit an SRS in the PRB6 and the PRB7, and optionally
it may be simply defined that an SRS can be transmitted in the PRB6 and the PRB7,
or a decision about whether to transmit an SRS can be further made in combination
with another scheme (e.g., the scheme 2), that is, a decision about whether to transmit
an SRS can be made as in the scheme above no matter there is really a downlink channel
transmitted in the DwPTS of the special sub-frame 1.
[0089] In a scheme 4-6, in a special sub-frame of a TDD system, if transmission frequency
resources of an SRS in an UpPTS partially overlap with a narrowband for transmitting
downlink data in a DwPTS, and there are downlink data transmitted in the DwPTS, then
it will be decided not to transmit an SRS over frequency resources, which do not overlap
with the narrowband for transmitting downlink data in the DwPTS, among the transmission
frequency resources of an SRS.
[0090] For example, an SRS is transmitted in corresponding PRB6 to PRB9 in an UpPTS of a
TDD special sub-frame 1, and a narrowband for transmitting a downlink channel in a
DwPTS of the special sub-frame 1 is a narrowband 0 (PRB2 to PRB7). In this instance,
if there is a downlink channel transmitted in the DwPTS, then no SRS will be transmitted
in the PRB8 and the PRB9 in the UpPTS of the special sub-frame 1. Optionally there
still may be an occasion to transmit an SRS in the PRB6 and the PRB7, and particularly
it may be simply defined that an SRS can be transmitted in the PRB6 and the PRB7,
or a decision about whether to transmit an SRS can be further made in combination
with another scheme (e.g., the scheme 2). Optionally in the instance above, if there
is no downlink channel transmitted in the DwPTS, then there still may be an occasion
to transmit an SRS in the PRB6 and the PRB7, or the PRB8 and the PRB9, in the TDD
special sub-frame 1, and particularly it may be simply defined that an SRS can be
transmitted in the PRB6 and the PRB7, or the PRB8 and the PRB9 at that time, or a
decision about whether to transmit an SRS can be further made in combination with
another scheme (e.g., the scheme 2).
Scheme 5.
[0091] In the scheme 5, the terminal can make a decision about whether to transmit an SRS
(e.g., to drop an SRS) in a special sub-frame of a TDD system, according to whether
a narrowband for transmitting downlink data in the special sub-frame is the same as
a narrowband for transmitting uplink data in an adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent
to the special sub-frame, where the "narrowband for transmitting downlink data" can
be expressed as a "narrowband for transmitting a downlink channel", and the downlink
channel can include a PDSCH, an M-PDCCH, etc.; and the "narrowband for transmitting
uplink data" can be expressed as a "narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel",
and the uplink channel can include a PUCCH, a PUSCH, etc.
[0092] Optionally the scheme 5 can be further categorized into the following several implementations.
[0093] In a scheme 5-1, if a narrowband for transmitting downlink data in a DwPTS of a special
sub-frame of a TDD system is different from a narrowband for transmitting uplink data
in an adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent to the special sub-frame, then it will
be decided not to transmit an SRS in an UpPTS of the special sub-frame.
[0094] For example, an SRS is transmitted in corresponding PRB8 to PRB11 in an UpPTS of
a TDD special sub-frame 1, a narrowband for transmitting a downlink channel in a DwPTS
of the special sub-frame 1 is a narrowband 0 (PRB2 to PRB7), and a narrowband for
transmitting an uplink channel in an adjacent uplink sub-frame 2 subsequent to the
special sub-frame 1 is a narrowband 1 (PRB8 to PRB13). In this instance, since the
narrowband for transmitting a downlink channel in the DwPTS of the special sub-frame
1 does not overlap with the narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel in the uplink
sub-frame 2, no SRS is transmitted in the UpPTS of the special sub-frame 1, that is,
a decision about whether to transmit an SRS is made as in the scheme above no matter
there is really a channel transmitted in the DwPTS of the special sub-frame 1, and
in the uplink sub-frame 2. Optionally if the narrowband for transmitting a downlink
channel in the DwPTS of the special sub-frame of the TDD system is the same as the
narrowband for transmitting uplink data in the adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent
to the special sub-frame, then there still may be an occasion to transmit an SRS in
the UpPTS of the special sub-frame, and optionally a decision about whether to transmit
an SRS will be further made in combination with another scheme (e.g., the scheme 2
or 4) according to a relationship between the transmission frequency resources of
an SRS, and the narrowband.
[0095] In a scheme 5-2, if a narrowband for transmitting downlink data in a DwPTS of a special
sub-frame of a TDD system is different from a narrowband for transmitting uplink data
in an adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent to the special sub-frame, and there are
data transmitted in both the DwPTS of the special sub-frame, and the adjacent uplink
sub-frame subsequent to the special sub-frame, then it will be decided not to transmit
an SRS in an UpPTS of the special sub-frame.
[0096] For example, an SRS is transmitted in corresponding PRB8 to PRB11 in an UpPTS of
a TDD special sub-frame 1, a narrowband for transmitting a downlink channel in a DwPTS
of the special sub-frame 1 is a narrowband 0 (PRB2 to PRB7), and a narrowband for
transmitting an uplink channel in an adjacent uplink sub-frame 2 subsequent to the
special sub-frame 1 is a narrowband 1 (PRB8 to PRB13). In this instance, if there
are data transmitted in both the DwPTS of the special sub-frame, and the uplink sub-frame
2, then no SRS will be transmitted in the UpPTS of the special sub-frame 1. Optionally
in the instance above, if there are no data transmitted in the DwPTS of the special
sub-frame, or in the uplink sub-frame 2, then there still may be an occasion to transmit
an SRS in the UpPTS of the special sub-frame, and optionally a decision about whether
to transmit an SRS will be further made in combination with another scheme (e.g.,
the schemes 2, 4) according to a relationship between the transmission frequency resources
of an SRS, and the narrowband.
[0097] Optionally the scheme 4 and the scheme 5 above can be applicable to a configuration
scenario where there is no retuning period of time in a number of OFDM symbols configured
for a Guard Period (GP), i.e., a configuration scenario where the length of time for
the GP only supports a period of time for switching from the downlink to the uplink,
and a timing advance for an uplink transmission instance of time, but does not account
for a retuning period of time.
[0098] Optionally the scheme 1, the scheme 2, and the scheme 3 above can be applicable to
a Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) system and a TDD system.
[0099] The respective schemes above can be applicable separately or in combination. For
example, when a negative determination is made (for example, the transmission frequency
resources overlap with the narrowband, or the narrowbands are the same) in some embodiment
above, a decision about whether to transmit an SRS can be further made in combination
with another embodiment, i.e., in a combination of the different schemes.
[0100] In an example where the scheme 1 above is applied in combination with the scheme
2 above, an SRS is transmitted in corresponding PRB8 to PRB11 in an uplink sub-frame
2, a narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel in the uplink sub-frame 2 is a
narrowband 1 (PRB8 to PRB 13), and a narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel
in an uplink sub-frame 3 is a narrowband 0 (PRB2 to PRB7). In this instance, the PRBs
in which an SRS is transmitted in the uplink sub-frame 2 lie in the narrowband for
transmitting an uplink channel in the uplink sub-frame 2, but does no overlap with
the narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel in the uplink sub-frame 3, so in
an example, a decision is made not to transmit an SRS in the uplink sub-frame 2, that
is, no SRS is transmitted no matter whether there is really an uplink channel transmitted
in the uplink sub-frame 2 and the uplink sub-frame 3; and in another example, if there
is an uplink channel transmitted in the uplink sub-frame 3 (such a sub-frame that
the corresponding narrowband thereof for transmitting data does not overlap with the
PRBs of an SRS) indeed, then no SRS will be transmitted in the uplink sub-frame 2;
otherwise, an SRS still can be transmitted.
[0101] In another example where more than one of the schemes are combined, when the narrowbands
for transmitting an uplink channel in the adjacent uplink sub-frames are the same
in the scheme 3 (e.g., the scheme 3-1 or the scheme 3-2), a decision whether to transmit
an SRS can be further made in combination with the scheme 1 or the scheme 2.
[0102] In another example where more than one of the schemes are combined, when the narrowbands
for transmitting data, corresponding respectively to the DwPTS and the UpPTS are the
same, a decision whether to transmit an SRS can be further made in combination with
the scheme 2.
[0103] In another example where more than one of the schemes are combined, when the narrowband
for transmitting a downlink channel in the special sub-frame is the same as the narrowband
for transmitting an uplink channel in the adjacent uplink sub-frame in the scheme
5, a decision whether to transmit an SRS can be further made in combination with the
scheme 2, although a repeated description thereof will be omitted here.
[0104] Furthermore a number of sub-schemes in a scheme can also be applicable in combination,
and for example, the scheme 1-1 and the scheme 1-3 in the scheme 1 can be applicable
in combination, the scheme 1-1 and the scheme 1-4 can be applicable in combination,
the scheme 1-2 and the scheme 1-5 can be applicable in combination, and the scheme
1-2 and the scheme 1-6 can be applicable in combination, respectively for instances
in which the transmission frequency resources do not overlap with the narrowband,
and in which the transmission frequency resources partially overlap with the narrowband;
and alike, the sub-schemes in the other schemes can also be applicable in combination.
[0105] As can be apparent from the description above, the embodiments of the invention propose
a new SRS transmission rule, particularly applicable to SRS transmission by a narrowband
terminal.
[0106] Based upon the same technical idea, an embodiment of the invention further provides
an apparatus for transmitting an SRS.
[0107] Referring to Fig.2 illustrating an apparatus for transmitting an SRS according to
an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus can be a terminal, or can be a hardware
and/or software component integrated in a terminal. The apparatus can include a determining
unit 201, and can further include a transmitting unit 202.
[0108] The determining unit 201 is configured to decide whether to transmit an SRS, according
to whether transmission frequency resources of an SRS overlap with a narrowband for
transmitting data, or whether adjacent narrowbands for transmitting data are the same.
[0109] Here the following several possible decisions can be made about whether to transmit
an SRS.
- A decision is made not to transmit an SRS (i.e., to drop an SRS).
- A decision is made to transmit an SRS.
- A decision is made to transmit an SRS over a part of the transmission frequency resources
of an SRS, and not to transmit an SRS over the remaining transmission frequency resources
(i.e., to drop an SRS over a part thereof).
[0110] The transmitting unit 202 can be configured to transmit an SRS according to the decision
of the determining unit 201, and for example, the transmitting unit 202 may operate
as follows: if a decision is made to transmit an SRS, then it will transmit an SRS
over the transmission frequency resources of an SRS; otherwise, it will drop an SRS.
Alternatively it can transmit an SRS over a part of the transmission frequency resources
of an SRS, and drop an SRS over the remaining transmission frequency resources.
[0111] Optionally the determining unit 201 can be configured to perform following operations.
[0112] In an SRS sub-frame, if transmission frequency resources of an SRS do not overlap
with a narrowband for transmitting uplink data, the determining unit 201 can be configured
to decide not to transmit an SRS in the SRS sub-frame; or in an SRS sub-frame, if
transmission frequency resources of an SRS do not overlap with a narrowband for transmitting
uplink data, and there are uplink data transmitted in the SRS sub-frame, the determining
unit 201 can be configured to decide not to transmit an SRS in the SRS sub-frame;
or in an SRS sub-frame, if transmission frequency resources of an SRS partially overlap
with a narrowband for transmitting uplink data, the determining unit 201 can be configured
to decide not to transmit an SRS in the SRS sub-frame; or in an SRS sub-frame, if
transmission frequency resources of an SRS partially overlap with a narrowband for
transmitting uplink data, the determining unit 201 can be configured to decide not
to transmit an SRS over frequency resources, which do not overlap with the narrowband
for transmitting uplink data, among the transmission frequency resources of an SRS;
or in an SRS sub-frame, if transmission frequency resources of an SRS partially overlap
with a narrowband for transmitting an uplink channel, and there are uplink data transmitted
in the SRS sub-frame, the determining unit 201 can be configured to decide not to
transmit an SRS in the SRS sub-frame; or in an SRS sub-frame, if transmission frequency
resources of an SRS partially overlap with a narrowband for transmitting an uplink
channel, and there are uplink data transmitted in the SRS sub-frame, the determining
unit 201 can be configured to decide not to transmit an SRS over frequency resources,
which do not overlap with the narrowband for transmitting uplink data, among the transmission
frequency resources of an SRS.
[0113] Here the SRS sub-frame is a sub-frame specific to a narrowband terminal, and the
SRS sub-frame includes an UpPTS or a normal uplink sub-frame.
[0114] Optionally the determining unit 201 can be configured to perform following operations.
[0115] In an SRS sub-frame, if transmission frequency resources of an SRS do not overlap
with a narrowband for transmitting uplink data in an adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent
to the SRS sub-frame, the determining unit 201 can be configured to decide not to
transmit an SRS in the SRS sub-frame; or in an SRS sub-frame, if transmission frequency
resources of an SRS do not overlap with a narrowband for transmitting uplink data
in an adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame, and there are uplink
data transmitted in the adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame,
the determining unit 201 can be configured to decide not to transmit an SRS in the
SRS sub-frame; or in an SRS sub-frame, if transmission frequency resources of an SRS
partially overlap with a narrowband for transmitting uplink data in an adjacent uplink
sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame, the determining unit 201 can be configured
to decide not to transmit an SRS in the SRS sub-frame; or in an SRS sub-frame, if
transmission frequency resources of an SRS partially overlap with a narrowband for
transmitting uplink data in an adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame,
the determining unit 201 can be configured to decide not to transmit an SRS over frequency
resources, which do not overlap with the narrowband for transmitting uplink data,
among the transmission frequency resources of an SRS; or in an SRS sub-frame, if transmission
frequency resources of an SRS partially overlap with a narrowband for transmitting
an uplink channel in an adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame,
and there are uplink data transmitted in the adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent
to the SRS sub-frame, the determining unit 201 can be configured to decide not to
transmit an SRS in the SRS sub-frame; or in an SRS sub-frame, if transmission frequency
resources of an SRS partially overlap with a narrowband for transmitting an uplink
channel in an adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame, and there
are uplink data transmitted in the adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent to the SRS
sub-frame, the determining unit 201 can be configured to decide not to transmit an
SRS over frequency resources, which do not overlap with the narrowband for transmitting
uplink data, among the transmission frequency resources of an SRS.
[0116] Optionally the determining unit 201 can be configured to perform following operations.
[0117] If an uplink channel transmitted in the adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent to the
SRS sub-frame is a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH), then: in the SRS sub-frame,
if the transmission frequency resources of an SRS do not overlap with the narrowband
for transmitting a PRACH in the adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame,
and a Timing Advance (TA) value corresponding to the SRS sub-frame is less than a
retuning period of time, the determining unit 201 can be configured to decide not
to transmit an SRS in the SRS sub-frame; or in the SRS sub-frame, if the transmission
frequency resources of an SRS partially overlap with the narrowband for transmitting
a PRACH in the adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame, and a TA
value corresponding to the SRS sub-frame is less than a retuning period of time, the
determining unit 201 can be configured to decide not to transmit an SRS in the SRS
sub-frame; or in the SRS sub-frame, if the transmission frequency resources of an
SRS partially overlap with the narrowband for transmitting a PRACH in the adjacent
uplink sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame, and a TA value corresponding to
the SRS sub-frame is less than a retuning period of time, the determining unit 201
can be configured to decide not to transmit an SRS over frequency resources, which
do not overlap with the narrowband for transmitting uplink data, among the transmission
frequency resources of an SRS.
[0118] Optionally the determining unit 201 can be configured to perform following operations.
[0119] If a narrowband for transmitting uplink data in the SRS sub-frame is different from
a narrowband for transmitting uplink data in an adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent
to the SRS sub-frame, the determining unit 201 can be configured to decide not to
transmit an SRS in the SRS sub-frame; or if a narrowband for transmitting uplink data
in the SRS sub-frame is different from a narrowband for transmitting uplink data in
an adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame, and there are uplink
data transmitted in both the narrowband for transmitting uplink data in the SRS sub-frame,
and the narrowband for transmitting uplink data in the adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent
to the SRS sub-frame, the determining unit 201 can be configured to decide not to
transmit an SRS in the SRS sub-frame; or if a narrowband for transmitting uplink data
in the SRS sub-frame is different from a narrowband for transmitting uplink data in
an adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame, and there are uplink
data transmitted in a narrowband, which does not overlap with transmission frequency
resources of an SRS, among the narrowband for transmitting uplink data in the SRS
sub-frame, and the narrowband for transmitting uplink data in the adjacent uplink
sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame, the determining unit 201 can be configured
to decide not to transmit an SRS in the SRS sub-frame; or if a narrowband for transmitting
uplink data in the SRS sub-frame is different from a narrowband for transmitting uplink
data in an adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame, and there are
uplink data transmitted in a narrowband, which partially overlaps with transmission
frequency resources of an SRS, among the narrowband for transmitting uplink data in
the SRS sub-frame, and the narrowband for transmitting uplink data in the adjacent
uplink sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame, the determining unit 201 can be
configured to decide not to transmit an SRS in the SRS sub-frame; or if a narrowband
for transmitting uplink data in the SRS sub-frame is different from a narrowband for
transmitting uplink data in an adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame,
and there are uplink data transmitted in a narrowband, which partially overlaps with
transmission frequency resources of an SRS, among the narrowband for transmitting
uplink data in the SRS sub-frame, and the narrowband for transmitting uplink data
in the adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent to the SRS sub-frame, the determining
unit 201 can be configured to decide not to transmit an SRS over frequency resources,
which do not overlap with the narrowband in which there are uplink data transmitted,
among the transmission frequency resources of an SRS.
[0120] Optionally the determining unit 201 can be configured to perform following operations.
[0121] In a special sub-frame of a TDD system, if transmission frequency resources of an
SRS in an UpPTS do not overlap with a narrowband for transmitting downlink data in
a DwPTS, the determining unit 201 can be configured to decide not to transmit an SRS
in the UpPTS of the special sub-frame; or in a special sub-frame of a TDD system,
if transmission frequency resources of an SRS in an UpPTS do not overlap with a narrowband
for transmitting downlink data in a DwPTS, and there are downlink data transmitted
in the DwPTS, the determining unit 201 can be configured to decide not to transmit
an SRS in the UpPTS of the special sub-frame; or in a special sub-frame of a TDD system,
if transmission frequency resources of an SRS in an UpPTS partially overlap with a
narrowband for transmitting downlink data in a DwPTS, the determining unit 201 can
be configured to decide not to transmit an SRS in the UpPTS of the special sub-frame;
or in a special sub-frame of a TDD system, if transmission frequency resources of
an SRS in an UpPTS partially overlap with a narrowband for transmitting downlink data
in a DwPTS, and there are downlink data transmitted in the DwPTS, the determining
unit 201 can be configured to decide not to transmit an SRS in the UpPTS of the special
sub-frame; or in a special sub-frame of a TDD system, if transmission frequency resources
of an SRS in an UpPTS partially overlap with a narrowband for transmitting downlink
data in a DwPTS, the determining unit 201 can be configured to decide not to transmit
an SRS over frequency resources, which do not overlap with the narrowband for transmitting
downlink data in the DwPTS, among the transmission frequency resources of an SRS;
or in a special sub-frame of a TDD system, if transmission frequency resources of
an SRS in an UpPTS partially overlap with a narrowband for transmitting downlink data
in a DwPTS, and there are downlink data transmitted in the DwPTS, the determining
unit 201 can be configured to decide not to transmit an SRS over frequency resources,
which do not overlap with the narrowband for transmitting downlink data in the DwPTS,
among the transmission frequency resources of an SRS.
[0122] Optionally the determining unit 201 can be configured to perform following operations.
[0123] If a narrowband for transmitting downlink data in a DwPTS of a special sub-frame
of a TDD system is different from a narrowband for transmitting uplink data in an
adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent to the special sub-frame, the determining unit
201 can be configured to decide not to transmit an SRS in an UpPTS of the special
sub-frame; or if a narrowband for transmitting downlink data in a DwPTS of a special
sub-frame of a TDD system is different from a narrowband for transmitting uplink data
in an adjacent uplink sub-frame subsequent to the special sub-frame, and there are
data transmitted in both the DwPTS of the special sub-frame and the adjacent uplink
sub-frame subsequent to the special sub-frame, the determining unit 201 can be configured
to decide not to transmit an SRS in an UpPTS of the special sub-frame.
[0124] Based upon the same technical idea, an embodiment of the invention further provides
a terminal.
[0125] Referring to Fig.3 illustrates a terminal according to an embodiment of the invention.
The terminal can include a processor 301, a memory 302, a transceiver 303, and a bus
interface.
[0126] The processor 301 is responsible for managing a bus architecture and performing normal
processes, and the memory 302 can store data for use by the processor 301 in performing
operations. The transceiver 303 is configured to be controlled by the processor 301
to transmit and receive data.
[0127] The bus architecture can include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges
to particularly link together various circuits including one or more processors represented
by the processor 301, and one or more memories represented by the memory 302. The
bus architecture can further link together various other circuits, e.g., prophetical
devices, manostats, power management circuits, etc., all of which are well known in
the art, so a further description thereof will be omitted in this context. The bus
interface serves as an interface. The transceiver 303 can be a number of elements
including a transmitter and a receiver which are units for communication with various
other devices over a transmission medium. The processor 301 is responsible for managing
the bus architecture and performing normal processes, and the memory 302 can store
data for use by the processor 301 in performing operations.
[0128] The SRS transmission flow according to the embodiments of the invention can be applicable
to the processor 301, or performed by the processor 301. In an implementation, the
respective steps in the SRS transmission flow can be performed by an integrated logic
circuit in hardware, or instructions in software, in the processor 301. The processor
301 can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, a dedicated integrated
circuit, a field programmable gate array, or other programmable logic devices, discrete
gates, or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components to embody or perform
the respective methods, steps, and logic block diagrams according to the embodiments
of the invention. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, any conventional
processor, etc. The steps in the method according to the embodiment of the invention
can be performed directly by a processor in hardware, or modules in hardware and software
in the processor in combination. The software modules can reside in a random memory,
a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, or an electrically
erasable, writable and programmable memory, a register, or any other storage medium
well known in the art. The storage medium resides in the memory 302, and the processor
301 reads the information in the memory 302, and performs the steps in the SRS transmission
flow according to the embodiments above in combination with the hardware thereof.
[0129] Optionally the processor 301 is configured to read the program in the memory 302,
and to perform the SRS transmission flow according to the embodiments above.
[0130] Those skilled in the art shall appreciate that the embodiments of the invention can
be embodied as a method, a system or a computer program product. Therefore the invention
can be embodied in the form of an all-hardware embodiment, an all-software embodiment
or an embodiment of software and hardware in combination. Furthermore the invention
can be embodied in the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more
computer useable storage mediums (including but not limited to a disk memory, an optical
memory, etc.) in which computer useable program codes are contained.
[0131] The invention has been described in a flow chart and/or a block diagram of the method,
the device (system) and the computer program product according to the embodiments
of the invention. It shall be appreciated that respective flows and/or blocks in the
flow chart and/or the block diagram and combinations of the flows and/or the blocks
in the flow chart and/or the block diagram can be embodied in computer program instructions.
These computer program instructions can be loaded onto a general-purpose computer,
a specific-purpose computer, an embedded processor or a processor of another programmable
data processing device to produce a machine so that the instructions executed on the
computer or the processor of the other programmable data processing device create
means for performing the functions specified in the flow(s) of the flow chart and/or
the block(s) of the block diagram.
[0132] These computer program instructions can also be stored into a computer readable memory
capable of directing the computer or the other programmable data processing device
to operate in a specific manner so that the instructions stored in the computer readable
memory create an article of manufacture including instruction means which perform
the functions specified in the flow(s) of the flow chart and/or the block(s) of the
block diagram.
[0133] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto the computer or the other
programmable data processing device so that a series of operational steps are performed
on the computer or the other programmable data processing device to create a computer
implemented process so that the instructions executed on the computer or the other
programmable device provide steps for performing the functions specified in the flow(s)
of the flow chart and/or the block(s) of the block diagram.
[0134] Evidently those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations
to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus the invention
is also intended to encompass these modifications and variations thereto so long as
the modifications and variations come into the scope of the claims appended to the
invention.